Chapter 6
The Bennet carriage arrived at eleven and spirited the sisters home. After they’d gone, Bingley invited Darcy to his study for a private word.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” Bingley explained. “About making Miss Bennet an offer. Is it too soon, do you think, to ask her father for permission to court her?”
Darcy considered a moment. Such a question wasn’t the same as asking for her hand. But it did suggest an intention to court no other woman.
“I see no reason to object.” Darcy only wished he’d done the same before kissing Elizabeth. “It’s better for her to be certain from the outset that your intentions are honourable.”
“I agree. You do think Mr. Bennet will be amenable to my suit?”
Darcy nodded thoughtfully. “It’s an equal match.”
Bingley’s eyes sparkled, his cheeks flushed, and a bright smile lit his face. “She’s the most divine creature I ever saw.”
“She’s a great beauty, with a sweet and gentle disposition.” Darcy gave his friend a kindly half-grin.
The butler summoned them to the drawing room for tea. Caroline and Louisa tittered between themselves—Caroline declaring it a pleasure to have one’s house to oneself.
Darcy could hardly hold the sentiment against her. Still, it didn’t endear her to him. She’d been a devoted hostess to Jane, but not so towards Elizabeth.
Towards her, Caroline’s manner had been haughty and spiteful without provocation. Elizabeth had borne the insults with aplomb—usually with studied silence, but with an occasional barb thrown in to show she was up to the challenge.
Caroline wasn’t a woman he could admire. But she was predictable. He always knew what to expect from her.
Elizabeth, by contrast, continually wrong-footed him. She didn’t trust him, which he supposed was his fault. It was impossible to feel at ease in her presence.
The woman exhausted him.
After tea, Darcy went to the library hoping to lose himself in a book. It was a fruitless effort. He spent more time pacing or staring out the window than he did reading.
He was about to give up the endeavour when Caroline entered, gesturing for a maid to join them. Caroline looked pretty in a pastel pink muslin that brought out the bloom in her cheek. Pearl earbobs matched the dainty necklace she wore.
The sight of her soothed him. No, he would never love her. He wasn’t even sure he liked her. But he felt entirely at ease with her.
Absently, he imagined a life with her. Caroline could give him comfort, familiarity, peace.
By contrast, he’d suffered a constant ache and sleepless nights since Elizabeth had arrived at Netherfield. He desired her, but he wasn’t yet in love with her. How well did he truly know her?
She wasn’t the sort of woman he’d envisioned for himself. He’d imagined a steady, reliable existence. Not this tumult of emotions that tormented him.
His parents had had a cordial marriage. It wasn’t without affection—but certainly lacked the heated passions that led to tirades and tears. Did Darcy not want the same?
Caroline’s words broke through his thoughts. “I hope you don’t mind my interrupting your solitude,” she said.
“On the contrary, I’m happy for it.”
His words seemed to encourage her. A soft light shone in her eyes. “Mr. Darcy, we’ve been friends for some time now, have we not?”
“Of course.”
“Then I hope you won’t mind a small token from me. I embroidered some handkerchiefs for Charles for his birthday. Enough fabric was left over to make two for you. I hope that’s not too forward?”
“Not at all,” he reassured her, though in truth, he wondered. Was it proper for a single lady to give such a gift to a bachelor unrelated to her? Yet it was a kind gesture. No point in making an issue of such a trifle.
She handed him a small packet wrapped in white tissue paper. He opened it to find the fabric embroidered with a Greek key pattern. His initials were in one corner. In the opposite were the initials CB.
For a moment, he could only wonder why she’d added her brother’s initials to his handkerchiefs. Then he realised they were also her initials.
He froze. He shouldn’t accept this gift.
But when he met her eyes and saw the expression of anxious anticipation there, he couldn’t refuse her. The embroidery was delicate—she’d put time into it. How could he rebuke one who had always treated him with acceptance and affection?
So he said, “Thank you, Miss Bingley, I’ll treasure them,” and deposited the handkerchiefs into his pocket.
∞∞∞
Caroline’s heart danced. Darcy had clearly seen what she’d embroidered on the handkerchiefs. Yet he’d accepted the gift anyway.
Perhaps it meant nothing—but perhaps Darcy was open to her advances. She took a step closer and pressed his hand with hers. “You seemed out of sorts whilst the Bennet sisters were here. Now that they’re gone, life can go back to normal.”
“Yes.”
She waited a moment, but he said no more. His terseness frustrated her. Such a contrast to Mr. Wickham!
She’d seen Wickham a few times in Meryton. Their most recent encounter had ended in a fevered tryst in the linen-draper’s supply closet. He’d been a perfect gentleman, offering no argument when she denied him her virginity. But heavens, what talented hands the man had!
The memories warmed her from her scalp to the soles of her feet. She would have to proceed carefully, though. She was too close to winning Darcy to take any more reckless chances.
With Darcy, Caroline would have no gaiety in her life. He was too ordered, too serious. But better to marry a man of ten thousand a year than a penniless rascal. Once she’d given Darcy an heir and a spare, she could have her affairs.
In the meantime, bedding Darcy would be no hardship. Tall and fit, his shoulders broad, his haunches toned from riding… Her belly tightened as she stood close to him. His unique sandalwood scent filled her nostrils and warmed her blood.
She couldn’t carry out her plan to seduce him there in the library. Not with the new maid, Minnie, scurrying about. The housekeeper had hired her to fill in for Constance, who’d been tending Jane. Now, Constance had come down with Jane’s cold. They would keep Minnie on for a few more days.
Caroline liked the girl. She’d done a lovely job ironing and wrapping the handkerchiefs. Without neglecting her duties, she was always nearby and available when Caroline needed her.
Caroline knew Darcy wouldn’t allow himself to be alone in a room with her. She must lure him outside. She could ask Minnie to accompany them, then signal for her to leave them at an opportune moment.
“The weather is fine today,” Caroline said. “Would you care for a turn in the garden?”
“Splendid idea.”
She looked towards the maid. “Minnie, can you fetch my wrap? My lady’s maid will know which one I want.”
With a curtsey, Minnie left them but quickly returned. As the maid helped Caroline on with her wrap, Caroline explained in low tones what she wanted from the girl.
Minnie gave her a knowing smile. “Of course, miss.”
Caroline took Darcy’s offered arm as they stepped outside, Minnie trailing them. They took a path that led towards the woods.
“How is Georgiana?” Caroline asked him.
“She’s well, thank you. She seems to be thriving under Mrs. Annesley’s care. I was very much deceived by her last companion, Mrs. Younge. Mrs. Annesley is strict without being stern.”
“Will Georgiana come out this season?”
His step hitched a moment, and he looked at her with wide eyes. “Not until she’s eighteen at least.”
“Such a protective brother,” Caroline said as they moved forward. “I came out on my seventeenth birthday. I wouldn’t let my parents rest until they agreed to it. It was unbearable watching Louisa have all the fun.”
“It’s different for Georgiana. She has no older sister. She would benefit from one, I’m sure.”
“Then perhaps you should provide her with one,” Caroline teased.
He hesitated a moment, then said haltingly, “Perhaps I shall, before she comes out. There’s more to consider than my sister’s well-being, however.”
“Such as Eliza Bennet’s fine eyes?”
Darcy coloured at that. His vulnerable expression quickly hardened. “Miss Bennet has more attractions than her eyes. But the most important question is, would we suit? Do we understand each other? The truth is, she and I continually, almost wilfully, misunderstand each other.”
Heat laced his rich baritone. His intensity drew her, and desire tightened her intimate places. He was one of the most handsome men she knew, and she wasn’t immune to his charms.
She massaged his upper arm, which was deliciously muscled. “Poor Mr. Darcy. I know how much you were hoping for Mrs. Bennet as a mother-in-law.”
He looked at her with a pained expression.
She let out a flirty laugh. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t tease you so.”
“Unlike Miss Elizabeth, you seem to understand my opinions on all things.”
“I like to think I do. You and I hold many of the same opinions, I believe.”
“I suspect you’re correct.”
Caroline found Darcy easy to understand because his sense of morality was rigid. If one knew his guiding principles, it was easy to deduce his opinions in nearly every situation.
The path wound up a hill, the wind whipping through the trees, the leaves falling in a cascade of gold.
She’d long made a study of Darcy, and so could mould herself to his desires.
She need only maintain the pretence until they were wed.
They would largely lead separate lives, especially after she’d given him sons.
But first, she would have to secure him.
To that end, she looked for a convenient place to steal away from the maid. Somewhere hidden, so they wouldn’t be discovered.
A path ahead led deep into the trees, where the canopy blocked much of the light. It would do.
While Darcy looked away, she signalled for the maid to go back towards the house. Minnie did so.
Caroline guided Darcy towards her intended destination. A thrill of triumph rose in her belly. But a minute later, a feminine cry rang out behind them.
Darcy turned and looked around. “Was that your maid?”
Caroline’s jaw tightened. “Possibly. I’m not sure why she’s lagging behind. Perhaps she dropped something.”
But Darcy wasn’t listening. He was rushing down the way they had come. With a frustrated sigh, Caroline followed.
By the time she met up with them, Darcy was lifting Minnie up into his arms. “She has turned her ankle,” he explained. “I’ll carry her back to the house.”
Anger tightened Caroline’s throat. Her fists clenched. How could the girl have been so clumsy?
Caroline would have liked to slap her. Yet she restrained herself. Darcy wouldn’t approve of harshness towards a servant.
She forced herself to be magnanimous, giving Minnie the day off to recover. By late afternoon, though, the maid was back at her post. Apparently, it hadn’t been a sprain. Without a limp, she approached as Caroline dressed for dinner.
“Mr. Darcy asked me to give you this, miss.” She handed her a note.
Caroline opened the sealed envelope, her curiosity piqued. The salutation made her gasp.
Dearest Caroline,
Please forgive the informality of my address. In my heart, you shall always be dear to me. I would have told you so on our walk today, had it not been interrupted. I cannot wait another moment to express how I feel.
What you said was true—you understand me like no other. There is a harmony of minds between us. I am convinced that we are perfectly suited.
I was encouraged by the handkerchiefs you gave me—dare I hope that our initials will be forever entwined?
If your wishes are the same as mine, meet me tonight so we can finish what we began. I shall wait for you at the gazebo at midnight.
Let us not speak of this, lest we be overheard. I would not wish you to risk your reputation. We should require no lamplight, which could draw unwanted attention. The sky is clear, and the moon will be full.
Please say you will meet me, my dearest love. You will make me the happiest of men.
Tears prickled Caroline’s eyes. Were she not so familiar with Darcy’s handwriting, she would have thought this a cruel joke. But the stationery was Darcy’s, the hand was his—the paper even bore the faint scent of sandalwood.
Her chest tightened, and she forced in a deep breath. She’d done it! Ten thousand a year! The best gowns money could buy, three carriages in town alone, with more in the country!
Should she tell Louisa? No, Louisa would try to talk her out of the tryst. But Caroline knew that once she gave Darcy her virginity, he would feel honour-bound to marry her. It was the best way to secure him.
Minnie cleared her throat, pulling Caroline from her thoughts. “Shall I take a response?” the maid asked.
Her mind whirling, Caroline scrawled a few words to confirm the meeting. She handed the note to Minnie, who dipped a curtsey and departed.
Caroline’s heart beat as rapidly as a bird’s. Everything she’d worked for would finally be hers. Her future depended on the next few hours.